This is a prospect list based particularly on the Chargers positions of need. There is no need to look too deeply into positions that we know the team will not address such as quarterback and wide receiver. This list will be updated throughout the season little by little. Hopefully this helps fans keep an eye on particular prospects during the college season so to have a more educated understanding of who the team should target come draft time.
Positions of need: DT, CB, RT, OL depth in general, Edge rusher, LB
Defensive tackles
Jordan Davis Georgia
Davis is probably my favorite prospect that I would want to see as a Charger, at least as of right now. It’s still very early and that may change. This year’s draft should be loaded with defensive line talent. While there might be flashy and athletic edge rushers everyone will gush over, Davis brings a different and more simplistic need. He is a mammoth of a man at 6’6″ 330 Lbs. He would give this team something they have lacked since the departure of Jammal Williams, and that’s a big bodied reliable anchor up front who can clog gaps. Given the troubles stopping the run up the middle, this should be a pick up that people have no problem getting behind. He is actually fairly athletic for someone of his stature and strong enough that he rarely gets moved off his spots even when being double teamed. He isn’t a player who will blow up a stat sheet but what he does is help set up the linebacker’s and edge rushers. Think no more triple teams on Bosa. This is the 0 tech DT we not only want but need. Some have question’s about his conditioning and motor, yet he managed to play 47 snaps in the national championship game which shows that he can play a large workload when needed.
Devonte Wyatt Georgia
We have yet another important piece to the impressive Georgia defensive unit. Wyatt arguably has a better motor and conditioning than fellow teammate Davis which is always a plus when evaluating what a player can bring. Wyatt can play both nose tackle (0 tech) and also 3 tech which means he may be a little more versatile than Davis. At 6’3″ 315 pounds, Wyatt finished the year with 39 total tackles, 7 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass deflection, and 1 blocked kick.
Mathew Butler Tennessee
Butler has been receiving the Aaron Donald/ Joey Bosa treatment (triple teamed) the last few weeks so you know he’s a beast. Anytime an offensive game plan is that centralised on one guy it speaks volumes. At 6’4″ 295 pounds Butler might be one of the best run stopping defensive tackles in college football. He is a 5th year senior so maturity shouldn’t be an issue at the next level. In 2019 he collected 122 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks for a loss of 46 yards. He is also a 4x all SEC honor roll athlete so he fits the bill of what Tom Telescoe looks for. So far this season he has 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks.
DeMarvin Leal Texas A&M
DeMarvin Leal was the consensus best interior defensive lineman in this year’s draft class. At least that’s what the scout’s believed prior to the season. Standing at 6’4″ 290 pounds, Leal is much more lanky than his height indicates. The former 5 star recruit coming out of high school is a true junior. His production, statistically is very high for an interior lineman. So far he has 35 tackles , 8.5 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. However, it is of note that almost 1/3 of his snaps have come off the edge. Having the flexibility to play both may either help or hurt his stock depending on the individual scouts.
Perrion Winfrey Oklahoma university
This is another guy who could be high on Telescoes draft board. He loves his small school development projects and Winfrey is a guy who was a juco prospect who has already worked his way up. Not only has he worked his way up, he has done what the other ‘development projects’ have yet to do. That is prove that he can dominate D1 talent on a high level. The 6’4″ 290 pound tackle has been playing both 4 and 0 tech. So far on the season he has 18 tackles , 6.5 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks. Winfrey has struggled to be consistent against the run however.
Phidarian Mathis Alabama
Mathis is a guy who looks like an ideal target for the second round. Now obviously that could change as the draft approaches. This is my assumption based on how many other defensive lineman will likely go ahead of him. At 6’4″ 310 pounds Mayhis is considered one of Alabama’s leaders on the defensive side. So far this season he has 27 tackles, 5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He always seems to bring high energy and enthusiasm. Someone like this would fit in well with a personality such as Derwin James.
Neil Farrell Jr LSU
Farrell was a big prospect a few years ago when LSU won the national championship. He then returned to school only to opt out because of covid. He then returned for his senior season. These factors have largely contributed to him being widely overlooked to start the offseason, but that could change leading up to the draft. At 6’4″ 325 pounds, Farrell fits the description of a perfect nose tackle prospect target should the Chargers miss out on one at the top of the draft. I day he is being overlooked because nobody is talking about him yet he had the 3rd highest run defensive grade out of any defensive lineman in the country with a 89.9 grade in that department. He was also 4th in the country in run stops and 10 of which where fir mo gain or a loss.
Travis Jones UCONN
Jones went under the radar in 2021, but he is a big nose tackle who flashed some pass-rush ability over the past two years, putting up 3.5 sacks each season. Jones also was a solid run defender with 126 tackles over the past three seasons. He has accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and he could rise with a strong week in Mobile.
Zachary Carter Florida
Carter turned 2021 into his best season, recording 31 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and eight sacks. He played well for Florida, producing consistently in the pass rush. Similar to former Gator Jonathan Bullard, Carter is a tweener end/tackle for the next level, and that hurts his grade according to team sources. Carter’s best fit to stick in the NFL and turn into a solid player could be as a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. For that role, he might need to gain weight, but he also will need to become a tougher run defender.
Cornerback